A harsh, icy voice came from above. Jiang Yin lifted her eyes and met his dark, cold gaze.
It was a look she knew well. Fu Yunchuan only ever looked at her that way, and now there was impatience in his eyes, too.
No matter what, he always put Sang He’s feelings first.
Jiang Yin drew a deep breath, suppressing the ache in her chest as she forced a smile. “Since when do mistresses get to be jealous?”
Fu Yunchuan frowned, taking offense at her calling Sang He a mistress. “Jiang Yin, she’s a good girl. Don’t insult her.”
Jiang Yin’s fingers curled slightly. She was about to say something else when—
“Why are you all standing in the doorway?”
Director Zhang from Human Resources came over with his briefcase, interrupting them.
He smiled. “Come inside. I have something to announce.”
As soon as they entered the office, Director Zhang got straight to the point.
“I’m sure you’ve all heard the news. The places for our hospital’s advanced training program have been decided. We have a new arrival, so please do your best to help her settle in.” As he spoke, he beckoned to Sang He. “Doctor Sang, why don’t you introduce yourself?”
Sang He was young and shy, her voice timid. “My name is Sang He. I’m a fourth-year student at Jinggang Medical University. I hope you’ll all look after me.”
The moment she finished, the doctors in the office broke into an uproar.
The advanced training program was a rare opportunity. It could lead to promotion to associate chief physician and earn academic credits. Candidates had to be recommended by their hospital and employer and have at least three to five years of work experience.
Sang He hadn’t even graduated yet. What qualified her? A hospital wasn’t a child’s plaything.
With her arrival, she had taken a training place that should have gone to a doctor in an established position. No one was going to accept that.
Jiang Yin was stunned, too. She hadn’t expected Fu Yunchuan to arrange such an impressive starting point for Sang He.
“Since when has Huadong Hospital had such low standards? Just anyone can get in?” someone complained, clearly dissatisfied. They had all worked hard to get where they were, and this situation was plainly unfair.
Sang He’s face flushed at the remark. She was too young to take such a blow; she had never faced anything like this. All she could do was stand there, looking aggrieved, her hands twisting helplessly together.
“There’s more than one way into the advanced training program. Outstanding grades aren’t the only path.” Fu Yunchuan stepped over beside Sang He, took her little hand, and gave it a comforting pat—both to soothe her and to stand up for her.
Jiang Yin looked away. Watching her husband, so cold toward her, lavish such care on another woman made her chest feel unbearably tight.
Fu Yunchuan continued in an even tone. “For example, someone who has made a major contribution to the hospital. Hehe donated four imported pieces of equipment to the hospital, worth two hundred million in total. If anyone here has the means to do the same, you can use this fast-track channel, too.”
Jiang Yin shuddered. The hospital did indeed have that policy.
In that moment, she felt cold from head to toe. Her husband had spent lavishly to celebrate his mistress’s birthday, and now, to get her into the hospital and its advanced training program, he had thrown another two hundred million at it.
And as for his legitimate wife—after five years of marriage to Fu Yunchuan, it was questionable whether he had spent even three hundred thousand on her.
She didn’t dare calculate it carefully or count it up. By comparison, her five years of marriage were a colossal joke. Heartache climbed through her like a dense tangle of vines.
Sang He bit her lip and looked at Fu Yunchuan with pitiable gratitude. Any woman would feel for her, let alone a man.
At that, everyone fell silent. She had money and influence; she could buy credentials with cash. Who could compete with that?
Fu Yunchuan put an arm around Sang He’s shoulders, adopting the protective air of a boyfriend. “It’s Hehe’s first day at work. She’s new, so I hope you’ll all look after her and help her along. After work tonight, I’ll treat everyone to dinner at Manyun Shanlou. I’ll arrange cars to pick you all up and take you home.”